Which Supplement Companies Are Recommended by Experts?

In September we offered a list of supplement companies recommended by the experts. Our readers responded with their suggestions, and after further research we have expanded our list. If readers have further thoughts and suggestions, please continue sending them in!

All companies listed are high quality supplement producers and known for their manufacturing standards, testing, and nutrient potency. Their products are often, although not always, derived from whole foods (such as taking vitamin C from acerola). In our listing, we also note whether the supplement company’s products are certified organic or in a few cases contain mostly complete vitamins. These terms are defined as follows:

Certified Organic supplements are those that use USDA Certified Organic source ingredients. The USDA’s organic certification is the only official set of criteria for organic products. To be labeled organic, 95% of the supplement must meet the following standards:

All produce grown in soil free of synthetic pesticide and fertilizer

No synthetics at all, unless on a USDA-certified list

No GMOs

No antibiotics or growth hormones

To be fully organic, a food or supplement must say both “USDA Certified” and “100% Organic.”

Organic ingredients are particularly important for some whole food-based nutrients to avoid too many harmful chemicals. Supplements using green tea, for instance, may contain residues from pesticides unless the tea has been Certified Organic. Some mainstream, non-organic tea companies were independently tested and found to have harmful pesticide chemicals in nearly 100% of their products.

Mostly complete vitamin companies offer exclusively or almost exclusively whole foods vitamins that are made from whole food sources and don’t contain fractionated or isolated nutrients. For instance, a product listing vitamin C on its ingredients label would offer a whole foods source ingredient like papaya. A fractionated vitamin C would be listed as “ascorbic acid,” since the nutrient is synthetic, isolated, or both. A complete vitamin is not necessarily superior or inferior to a fractionated vitamin. It depends on which supplements and how they are being used. For example, mostly complete vitamins are rarely high potency.

Here, then, is our updated list of supplement makers recommended by leading integrative doctors with whom we have consulted:

Yes, I would like to know that too. Especially when I know Shaklee does 250 more contaminate tests (total 350 tests), than the “USP” U.S. Pharmacopeia does, only 80 contaminate tests. This is where the real “Organic” is!

I’m curious — does the absence of a company from this list mean that it does not meet these criteria, or was it simply not included in your evaluation? In order for this list to have value, readers need to know which companies were evaluated (if any) beyond the list you have provided. Thanks.

I have had problems with products from some of the vendors on this list. They add stuff that is bordering on commercial junk-food ingredients. These filler ingredients can be particularly problematic for glutamate sensitive people. For example: maltodextrin, aspartate, yeast extract, and gelatin.
Gelatin contains very high levels of free unbound natural glutamate, that MSG sufferers react strongly to. One large omega 3 capsule is enough to cause a full fledged MSG episode. Dear vendors, please get rid of the gelatin in the capsules.

I have been buying all my supplements from Life Extension for over 10 years….they have never let me down! Their prices are reasonable and they have a huge selection. The also have make-up, skin anti-aging cremes that work like crazy! THE BEST PRODUCTS!

I’ve been buying supplements for years ,and trying to educate myself. There is a wealth of information and recommendations..I’ve been offer extra free products for a glowing review ,but garbage at any price is no bargain.After all it goes into our bodies..so it’s been hit or miss for me..and when you miss your organs suffer your Liver and Kidneys for sure..It’s hard to trust..wish i could talk with someone like myself,those reward or interest is just to help people and allow the creator to reward me!!

If you only shop at regular drug stores or large retail versus a knowledgeable compounding pharmacy or health food store,that is likely why you do not recognize these high quality brands. Many years ago, I did my own independent research as to the potency and quality of Dr. Andrew Lessman vitamins before I ordered them. (Pro Caps is by Dr. Andrew Lessman) You may have seen his products on HSN as well…
Designs for Health is popular with natural doctors and is a popular brand at Town Center Compounding Pharmacy in Palm Desert California.
I was happy to find this list as I have seen many of these brands but have not had the time to reasearch each of the companies on my own.

Pure Synergy is my favorite company along with Garden of Life. I would never even think of ingesting the garbage they sell at retailers. But, I guess from an affordability standpoint it’s better than nothing? You need to do your research and find what works best for you. For me I’d rather spend my money on prevention instead of care.

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Any medical information contained in this site is for informational use only. It is not for use in self-diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified physician concerning the prudence of and before undertaking any change in diet, treatment for disease, use of any drug, or cessation in use of any prescribed drug.